Vanderbilt baseball sparked by freshmen in opening-day win over Duke

New York Knicks rookie & former Vandy star Luke Kornet, a seven-footer, throws out first pitch on opening day.
Adam Sparks

Vanderbilt outfielder Pat DeMarco (18) looks to the sky after hitting the ball during the game against Duke Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)

Vanderbilt left fielder Alonzo Jones (8) crosses home plate past Duke catcher Chris Proctor (23) to score a run during the game at Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Former Vanderbilt basketball player Luke Kornet throws out the first pitch before Vanderbilt's home opener against Duke at Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt third baseman Jayson Gonzalez (99) makes a throw to second base for an out during the game against Duke at Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt second baseman Ethan Paul (10) tries to turn a double play as Duke outfielder Griffin Conine (9) slides underneath him during the game at Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Strong debut at top of lineup

Sure, freshman centerfielder Pat DeMarco was nearly perfect from the plate, going 3-for-4 in the lead-off spot with two singles, a double, walk, stolen base and two runs scored.

But DeMarco was not a surefire fit in the lead-off spot. Corbin said he liked how the freshman attacked the opportunity, earning a further stint at the top of the lineup.

“Coming in, I didn’t even think he was a lead-off guy. We just felt like he was the right person to start off the season in that spot,” Corbin said. “… After that game, he’ll probably see that spot again.”

Fellow freshman third baseman Jayson Gonzalez smacked an RBI single to cap a decisive five-run fifth inning for the Commodores. But Corbin loved what Gonzalez did in his less successful plate appearances, working deep into the count and fouling off every strike he saw.

Vanderbilt third baseman Jayson Gonzalez (99) makes a throw to second base for an out during the game against Duke at Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)

Gonzalez had three eight-pitch at-bats that ended in a walk and two groundouts, including a foul ball he smashed about 400 feet into the left-field corner.

“I liked the confidence (Gonzalez had) to see the ball and ability to check off on certain pitches,” Corbin said. “He had two eight-pitch at-bats that were outs. But in the grand scheme of things, they break down innings.”

Midstate products get feet wet

And, finally, freshman designated hitter Philip Clarke, a former Christ Presbyterian Academy standout, jumped on the first pitch he saw in both the sixth and eighth innings for a pair singles that scored three runs.

Vanderbilt catcher Philip Clarke (5) hits the ball during the game against Duke at Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)

Those timely two-out hits gave Vanderbilt a commanding 9-1 lead en route to the program’s 18th consecutive win in a home opener. The Commodores have won five of their last six opening games overall, home and away.

“I think I saw the ball well today,” Clarke said. “The timing was a little off in the beginning, but I found it toward the end. Hopefully, I can carry that into the next games.”

Freshman right-hander Aaron Brown, a former Mt. Juliet standout, pitched a scoreless ninth inning in his debut. Jackson Gillis (1-0) earned the win with 3 ⅔ innings of relief after starter Drake Fellows allowed one run in 4 ⅓ innings.

Vanderbilt’s second game has been moved to 3 p.m. Saturday, as the forecast calls for rain earlier in the day. Sophomore left-hander Zach King will make his first career start after only working out of the bullpen last season.

On Sunday, Game 3 is still slated for 1 p.m., when junior right-hander Chandler Day will take the mound for the Commodores.

Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.